OUT AND ABOUT : Irish Children’s Independent Mobility and the International Context Presentation at MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE RESEARCH SEMINAR September 2013 Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland Dr. Brendan O’Keeffe Alanna O’Beirne

PRESENTATION OUTLINE Introduction Methodology Findings Discussion Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

INTRODUCTION Children’s independent mobility (CIM): the degree to which children are allowed to make trips to school, friends, shops and other destinations unaccompanied by adults. Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

METHODOLOGY SAMPLE We surveyed over 2,200 children aged between 7 and 15 in 25 schools and almost 1700 parents / carers. Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland Primary Level Second Level 0 100km N

SURVEY RESPONDENTS by country Total childTotal adult COUNTRY respondents respondents Australia Brazil Denmark England Finland France Germany Ireland Israel Italy Japan Norway Portugal South Africa Sri Lanka Sweden Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

MOBILITY LICENCES Children’s independent mobility was established by identifying whether or not children had been granted permission with regard to six ‘licences’. If child was allowed to cross main roads alone. If, when going to places other than school that are within walking distance, the child is usually taken there or allowed to go alone. If child travelled home from school alone. If child is allowed to go out alone after dark. If child is allowed to travel on local buses alone. If child is allowed to cycle on main roads alone. Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

IRISH FINDINGS: Licences Primary Post Primary Children 83.8% Allowed to cross roads alone 98.5% 10.6% Reported going home from school alone 12.2% 25.8% Allowed out after dark with friends 50% 8.8% Allowed use local buses 66% 92.7% Own a bicycle 87.9% 59.2% Allowed to cycle to go places without adults 89.9% Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

OVERALL RANKING - based on consideration of all six licences COUNTRY Travels home Allowed to go Allowed to cross Allowed to cycle Allowed out Allowed travel from school alone within walking main roads alone on main roads after dark on local buses distance Finland Japan Germany Norway Sweden Denmark Israel Australia Brazil Portugal England Ireland France South Africa Italy Sri Lanka Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

OVERALL RANKING - based on consideration of all six licences 1. Finland 2. Japan 3.= Norway 3.= Germany 5. Sweden 6. Denmark 7. Israel 8.= Australia 8.= Brazil 10. Portugal 11.= Ireland 11.= England 13. France 14. South Africa 15. Italy 16. Sri Lanka Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

PROPORTION with licence COUNTRY Travels home Allowed to go Allowed to cross Allowed to cycle Allowed out Allowed travel from school alone within walking main roads alone on main roads after dark on local buses distance Finland 89.8% 91.1% 88.1% 69.9% 74.4% 65.3% Japan88.4% 85.2% 77.5%61.3% 26.9% 49.7% Germany87.6% 87.9% 80.3%40.8% 15.5% 59.4% Norway89.2% 79.4% 74.0%50.9%50.4% 47.8% Sweden85.1% 81.2% 73.1%34.7%56.8% 62.2% Denmark70.8% 67.8% 58.7%48.4%30.5% 38.3% Israel85.9% 67.8% 75.6%18.1%23.3% 25.7% Australia 54.9% 56.7% 70.5%32.7% 5.7% 28.3% Brazil60.4% 64.3% 50.5%29.7% 13.7% 24.5% Portugal 47.2% 46.1% 62.1%23.5% 12.3% 35.4% England 47.7% 50.6% 57.0%20.5% 10.3% 24.1% Ireland 37.2% 45.7% 70.5% 37.1% 9.1% 18.5% France 46.1% 47.5% 57.9% 18.5% 3.1% 24.0% South Africa57.7% 48.9% 49.3% 8.3% 4.9% 17.1% Italy 33.6% 36.5% 44.8%21.3% 8.0% 9.7% Sri Lanka 34.5% 45.9% 30.4% 12.8% 4.1% 18.2% Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

PROPORTION with licence COUNTRY Travels home Allowed to go Allowed to cross Allowed to cycle Allowed out Allowed travel from school alone within walking main roads alone on main roads after dark on local buses distance Finland 89.8% 91.1% 88.1% 69.9% 74.4% 65.3% Japan88.4% 85.2% 77.5%61.3% 26.9% 49.7% Germany87.6% 87.9% 80.3%40.8% 15.5% 59.4% Norway89.2% 79.4% 74.0%50.9%50.4% 47.8% Sweden85.1% 81.2% 73.1%34.7%56.8% 62.2% Denmark70.8% 67.8% 58.7%48.4%30.5% 38.3% Israel85.9% 67.8% 75.6%18.1%23.3% 25.7% Australia 54.9% 56.7% 70.5%32.7% 5.7% 28.3% Brazil60.4% 64.3% 50.5%29.7% 13.7% 24.5% Portugal 47.2% 46.1% 62.1%23.5% 12.3% 35.4% England 47.7% 50.6% 57.0%20.5% 10.3% 24.1% Ireland 37.2% 45.7% 70.5% 37.1% 9.1% 18.5% France 46.1% 47.5% 57.9% 18.5% 3.1% 24.0% South Africa57.7% 48.9% 49.3% 8.3% 4.9% 17.1% Italy 33.6% 36.5% 44.8%21.3% 8.0% 9.7% Sri Lanka 34.5% 45.9% 30.4% 12.8% 4.1% 18.2% Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

Parents’ travel patterns when children 15.4% of parents went to school by car (compared to 59% of primary school children in our survey) 60% of parents walked to school (PP 12.6% P 22%) 72% of parents reported that they travelled the same or longer distance then their children to get to school IRISH FINDINGS: Generational differences Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

National report will be published shortly. We are going to continue to present at conferences, publish a number of papers on our findings and link with relevant stakeholders to contribute to developing policy in this arena. The International Comparative Report will be launched later this month. This will provide an overview of differences between countries, commentary on the differences, a set of case studies of policy and practice being used around the world to encourage children’s independent mobility. Forthcoming developments Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland

There has been a notable decline in children’s freedom and independence. Children’s safety has been won at the cost of their autonomy. The rising trends in car ownership mirror rising levels of physical inactivity. Children’s Independent Mobility in Ireland SOME IMPLICATIONS